Bite-sized onion rings that turn basic holiday dishes into irresistible masterpieces? Oooh yes! That’s crispy fried onions in a nutshell. This homemade, healthier (no deep frying!) take on French’s Crispy Fried Onions is vegan, optionally gluten-free, and SO easy to make!
Ready in just 10 minutes with 5 simple ingredients, they’re perfect for whipping up day of when you need them for the holiday table. We can’t wait for you to try them! Let us show you how it’s done!
Origins of Crispy Fried Onions
Crispy fried onions are a beloved ingredient in many cuisines — that’s how you know they’re good! In Southern cooking, they’re deep fried and called French fried onions, while in Scandinavia they’re a common garnish used by street vendors. They’re also popular on mujadara in the Middle East and biryani in India.
In many Asian countries (including Indonesia, Taiwan, and Thailand), a similar creation made with shallots goes on everything from rice and satay to gado gado and more!
How to Make Gluten-Free Fried Onions
These crispy little wonders begin with thinly and evenly slicing an onion (or shallot) then tossing the slices in a mixture of brown rice flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. While some methods for crispy fried onions use a batter, we kept this version super simple!
Next, it’s time to get frying! It’s important to leave plenty of space between the onions for maximum crispiness. Make sure to work in batches and use a large skillet.
We hope you LOVE these gluten-free fried onions! They’re:
Crispy
Salty
Savory
Versatile
Quick & easy
& Taste like mini onion rings!
They’re a delicious topping for green bean casserole, creamed spinach (recipe coming soon), pasta, salads, and beyond!
Easy Gluten-Free Fried Onions
EASY homemade crispy fried onions! Gluten-free, vegan, and perfect for topping all your favorite holiday dishes. Just 5 ingredients and 10 minutes required!
Prep Time:
5 minutes
Cook Time:
5 minutes
Total Time:
10 minutes
Servings:
4 (~2-Tbsp servings)
Course:
Condiment, Helpful How-to
Cuisine:
Gluten-Free, Vegan
Freezer Friendly:
No
Does it keep? Best when fresh
Ingredients
Ingredients
Instructions
Cooking method
- To ensure evenly cooked and crispy onions, you want the onion slices to be very thin (about 1/16-inch) and as even in size as possible. We recommend cutting the onion in half (or quarters if it’s large), then slicing with the cut side on the cutting board. Or, you could use a mandolin.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the rice flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add the sliced onions and toss to coat, breaking up any slices of onion that are sticking together.
- Meanwhile, heat 1/2 Tbsp oil in a large skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium heat. Test the oil by sprinkling in some flour. It should make a sound but not burn.
- When the oil is hot, add about half of the onions in a single layer (overcrowding the pan will result in soggy onions // if using a smaller pan or making a larger batch, adjust accordingly).
- Fry until golden on both sides, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, and reducing the heat as needed to avoid burning. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate in a single layer and repeat with the remaining 1/2 Tbsp oil and the onions.
- They’re delicious on green bean casserole, creamed spinach (recipe coming soon), pasta, salads, and beyond!
- Best when fresh. They lose their crispiness once cooled.
Notes
*Shallots and leeks also work in place of onion.
*Substitutes for brown rice flour: If not gluten-free, all-purpose flour works well. Chickpea flour works well but doesn’t get quite as crispy as brown rice flour. Arrowroot flour made the onions a little soggy and didn’t create a crispy coating. We’d recommend avoiding other starches like tapioca, corn, or potato.
*Adapted from our Lemony Arugula Salad with Crispy Shallots.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.
Nutrition (1 of 4 servings)
Serving: 1servingCalories: 48Carbohydrates: 4gProtein: 0.5gFat: 3.5gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2.4gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 147mgPotassium: 41mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 0.9g<Vitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 0.1mg
